Nyeri Deputy Governor Mutahi Kahiga poised to take over

Following the sudden death of Nyeri Governor Dr. Wahome Gakuru, his deputy Mutahi Kahiga is now expected to be the county’s new governor.

According to Article 182 (2) of the Constitution, the office of the County Governor becomes vacant if the holder either; dies, resigns in writing, ceases to be eligible to be elected county governor is convicted of a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment of at least 12 months.

If such a vacancy occurs in the office of governor, the deputy governor assumes the office for the remainder of the term or until the next election held under Article 180 (1).

In the event the deputy governor is unable to act, the speaker can act as governor.

In case the Speaker assumes office of the governor in acting capacity, the law then requires that a new election be held within 60 days to elect a new county governor.

If and when Deputy Governor Mutahi Kahiga assumes office of the governor, he can nominate a Deputy Governor who will has to be approved by the County Assembly before he is nominated.

In February 24th 2017, Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua died while undergoing treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, the United Kingdom.

Two days later, Nyeri County Deputy Governor Samuel Wamathai was sworn in as the new Nyeri Governor for the remainder of the term running to August 8 election.

Speaking after viewing his body at the Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi, Deputy Governor Mutahi Kahiga mourned Gakuru as a close friend and colleague.

“Last night we were discussing about his travel to the talk show today. I tried to convince him to travel last night so that he didn’t have to travel this morning… I’m at a loss,” reminisced Kahiga.

“It is a sad morning for the people of Nyeri and ours now is to hold the people of Nyeri together,” he added. “Let’s walk this journey together. We have been through tragedy before and we came out stronger. Even this time we will come out strong.”

The government has since appointed ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, Deputy Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Nyeri Senator Ephraim Maina to lead burial preparations of the late Nyeri Governor Gakuru.